Machine for assembling steel structural units



v 1 15335 Jan. 25, s. MACOMBER MACHINE" FOR ASSEMBLING STEEL STRUCTURAL UNITS Filed May 1.1. 1925 2 Sheefs-Sheec 1 YEP tag] ID [ED ID INVENTOR. Stuniey Mucomber b MM? Y ATTORNEY INVENTOR.

ATTZE-YS.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 92 s. MACOMBER.

MACHINE FOR ASSEMBLING STEEL STRUCTURAL UNITS Filed May 11, 1925 -5tan\ey Macqm be? Patented 1....25, 192A UNITED STATES STANLEY MACOMBER,

MACHINE FOR ASSEMBIETNG Application filedkay 11,

The present improved machine is designed more particularly for use in assembling the component parts of steel structural units of atruss section for buildings and the like.

where such unit .is mainly fabricated from a plurality of bar or rod-like elements. Thus, in the illustrative unit to which reference will hereinafter be made, stralghtrods are employed for the top and bottom chords,

Ill

' is to providea simple and conveniently 0 erable mechanism for receiving and hol mg such component parts of a structural unit of the type in question so that the weld- ,ing together of such parts may be accomplished e itiously and with accuracy. A further ob ectis to avoid distortion or ending of the component parts since this results in the production of a crooked product.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the annexed drawings and the following description setting forth in' detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one of various mechanical; forms inwhich the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawings Fig. 1 is a plan view of the present im-. proved mechanism with the component parts of a structural .unit of the type in hand secured in place therein; Fig. 2 is a similar plan view of the bed late of such mech truism-stripped of other parts; Figs. 3, 4e and 5 are vertical transverse sections of the mechanism taken on the planes indicated by the lines 3-3, H and 5-5, respectively, Fig. 1; Figs. 6 and 7 are similar sections of a detail, the plane of the section beingin'di cated by the line 66, Fig. 1, and the detail being shown in two difierent operative positions; and Fig. 8 is a perspective view on a reduced scale of one end of a structural unit I I 1,615,335 PATENT OFFICE.

or MASSILLON, 01110.

s'rnnr. 's'rnncrunar. nnrrs.

1925'. serial No. 29,353.

of the sort intended to. be assembled by the mechanism.-

For an understanding of the construction and operation of the mechanism, reference may be had first of all to the form of such structural unit as thus illustrated in Fig. 8.

such particular field or for that matter to I any particular type of structural unit.

The latter, it will be noted, is made up of five principal elements or pieces, viz, two strai ht bars or rods 1 that compose the upper 0 0rd; two similar bars or rods 2 that compose the bottom chord, such last mentioned rods or bars being straight throughout the major portion of their length but having their ends bent up to form angularly related portions 2 that terminate in portions 2 lying parallel with the corresponding ends of upper chord members 1; and another rod or bar 3 that constitutes the web member of the structure, said member, as hereinbefore indicated, being bent reversely to form a succession of oppositely directed Vs, the angles 3 of which lie between the upper pair of bars 1 and the lower pair of bars 2.

For the purpose of developing enough strength in the truss end, when resting on the support therefor provided to carry the load of the truss, reinforcing elements are included in such end. In the construction illustrated, these comprise two plates, one a horizontal plate 5 disposed directly beneath the horizontally extending ortions 2 of the lower chord members, and t e other a vertical plate 6 that rests with its lower edge on such horizontal plate and extends inwardly longitudinally of the structure to the first upwardly bent angle 3* of the web member 3. When suitably welded together these two plates, it will be seen, constitute in eflect an inverted T-bar in cross section.

The preferred method of .securing the various component members of the structure together is to weld together the rods or bars that enter into the top and bottom chords respectively and the web member at the. points where they intersect, and similarly to weld such bars to the plates that constitute the end reinforcement of the structure and to weld such plates to each other.

Just as in Fig. 8 only one end portion of the structural unit is shown, so the illustration in Figs. 1 and 2 is limitedto the corthat is supported on a heavy I-beam 11 (see Figs. 3, 4 and 5) or like solid foundation. One edge of the plate is preferably flush with such support, while the other projects thereheyond so as to lie clear of the same, and a plank 12 or equivalent layer of solid resistant heat insulating material is interposed between the plate 10 and the support 11.

Fixedly mounted on the plate 10, ad acent its edge which thus lies flush with the support, is a longitudinally extending angle bar 13 against which the rods 2 that compose the bottom chord of the structural'unit are designed to be placed in the course of assembly.

At spaced points corresponding with the points where the angles 3 of the web memher 3 lie between the paired bars 2, said plate is formed with openings 10* for the s ray from the welding operation to escape. liingedly attached to the opposite or overhanging edge of the plate is a second longitudinally extending angle bar 14, the hinges comprising longitudinally spaced brackets 15 on the underside of a bar that are pivot= ally attached to downwardly. projecting lugs 15 on such overhanging portionof plate 10 (see Fig. 3). When bar 14 is in its raised position, the rods 1 that constitute the upper chord member of the structural unit will be assembled againstthe vertical flange of this bar 14 and such flange, to-

gether with the opposed flange of bar 13,-

serve equally to hold in place the angles 3 of the web member 3.

In order to retain angle bar 14.- in its operative raised position, one or more swinging handled locks 16 are provided, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, such locks being'pivotally attached to the underside 'of the overhanging portion of bed 10 intermediately of the locks 16 to which the bar is pivotally attached inthe manner just described. When swung outwardly, as shown in Fig. 6, these locks provide a rigid support for the bar 14, but

when swung into parallel relation with the,

bed, the bar is left freeto drop down out of the way, thus facilitating the removal of the finished structural unit.

In addition to bars 13 and 14, which support the outwardly directed faces of the chord and web members entering into the structural unit, a series of vertical posts .17 are provided adjacent the overhanging edge of plate 10, just suflicient space bein left between such posts and the vertical ange of'bar 14, when the latter is in its raised position, to receive the bars 1, as shown in Fig. 3, and pivotally attached to corresponding posts 18, mounted upon or adjacent to angle bar 13, are clamps 19 of the form likewise best shown in' Fig. 3. Each such clamp, it will be noted, comprises adjacent its inner or pivotally attached end an ofiset portion 19 that is adapted to engage the inner faces of rods 2. when the latter are assembled against the Vertical flange of angle bar'13,

the outer end of each clamp being formed with a handle 21, for conveniencein operating the same, and adjacent such handle vend with a vertical slot 22 that is adapted to fit over the correspondingpost 17 The latter, it will be noted, is formed with an opening23 through which a keeper in the form of a pin v(not shown) may be inserted to hold the clamp in its lowered or operative position. 4

To accommodate the reinforcing plates that enter into the construction of the end of the unit, the corresponding overhanging portion of plate 10 is cut away, as shown in the upper right-hand corner of Figs. 1 and 2, and a supplemental plate 25 secured to said plate 10 by means of splice plates 26 so as to provide a. shelf on a' somewhat lower plane. The'hingedly mounted angle bar 14 terminates short of this portion of the bed and instead thereof, a short angle bar 27 that faces in the same direction as bar 13 is -mounted on bed 10 adjacent such cut-back portion. Plate 25 is provided with'openings 28 for the weld spray and between its inner.

edge and the opposed edge of plate 10 blocks 29 are supported onsplice plates 26, such blocks having their upper faces notched to support in proper relative positions the two reinforcing plates 5 and 6 and the corresponding ends of top chord members 1 and end portions 2 of the bottom chords 2; it being noted that the two clamps 30 adjacent this portion of the bed, such clamps other wise corresponding with previously described clamps 19, instead of being provided with offset portions 19 and 19 are formed a with the component elements of the struc' turalnnit at this point.

The operation of the mechanism asa whole may now be briefly indicated. The several clamps 19, 30 and 35 being thrown back and angle bar 14 dropped out of the-way, the preformed chord and web components of the structural unit may be easily and-quickly vided the means stated by placed in position on the bed 10, their proper location being facilitated by the fixed bar 13, the posts 17 and the short fixed bar 27, taken in conjunction with bloods-'29. The front angle bar 14 is thereupon swung and locked in place and the several clamps brought down and secured to their respective posts. The welding operation is then' proceeded with-in the manner hereinbefore sufficiently set forth. As soon as the bars and reinforcing plates have thus been united at the proper points, the clamps are thrown back, the bar 14 again dropped out of the way and the finished structural unit lifted off.

By reason of the insulating board- 12, which is interposed between plate 10 and support 11, the transfer of heat'to the latter such as might cause even a, heavy I-beam to bend is so reduced as to maintain the bed at all times flat and thus permit of the accurate assembly of the parts composing the structural unit.- The production of crooked units or joists is thus avoided. At the same time the arrangement of the clamps is such as to facilitate not only the assembl of the component rods and reinforcing'p ates, but'also the removal of the finished article therefrom.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, proany of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention 1. In mechanism for assembling welded-' together structural units of the type described, the combination of a bed plate; a support therefor; a fixed, upwardly projecting flange adjacent one edge of said plate; and a corresponding flange adjacent the othe-redge of said plate, said last-named flange being hingedly attached to said plate so as to be movable to a position clear of its upper face. 7

2. In mechanism for assembling weldedv together 7 structural units of the type described, the combination of, a bed plate; a support therefor; a fixed, upwardly-projecting flange adjacent one edge of said plate; a corresponding flange adjacent the other. edge of said plate, said last-named flange being hingedly attached to said plate so as to be movable to a position clear of its upper face and means adapted to retain said last-named flange in operative position.

; 3. In mechanism for assembling weldedtogether structural units of the .type described, the combination of a bed plate; a support therefor; a fixed upwardly -project-.

ing flange adjacent one edge of said plate;

a corresponding, movable flange adjacent the other edge of said plate; and transversely disposed clamps pivotally attached to saidplate adjacent said first-named flange and adapted to co-operate with said flanges to retain the component parts of such unit in] ing flange adjacent one edge of said plate;

a corresponding, movable flange adjacent the other edge of said plate; transversely disposed clamps pivotally attached, to said plate adjacent sald first-named flange and adapted to co-operate with said flanges to retain the component parts of such unit in properpositlon therebetween; and means adapted to' lock said clamps in operative osit'zon.

5. In mechanism for assemb-ingweldedtogether structural units of the type. described, the combination of a bed plate; a support therefor; a fixed, upwardly rojecting flange adjacent one edge of mi plate; a corrcs onding, movable flange adjacent the other e ge, of saidplate; transversely disposed clamps pivotally attached to said plate adjacent said first-named flange and adapted to co-operate with said flanges tc retain the component parts of such unit in proper position therebetween; said clamps having off-set portions adapted directly to engage with such parts.

6. In mechanism for assembling weldedtogether structural units of the type described, the combination of a bed late; a

7 support therefor; an angle-bar fixe to said late adjacent one edge thereof with one ange directed upwardl and facing towards the o posite edge of sai plate; a corresponding, at reversely facing angle-bar adjacent. the opposite, edge of said plate; and hinges pivotally securmg said last-named bar to said plate, said hinges being located so as to leave the upper face of said plate clean.

7. In mechanism for assembling weldedtogethcr structural units of the type de scribed, the combination of a bed plate; a

support therefor; an angle-bar fixed to said' plateadjacent one edge thereof with one flange directed upwardly and facing towards the opposite edge of said plate; a corresponding, but reversely facing angle-bar adjacent theopposite edge of said plate; hinges pivotally securing said last-named bar to said plate, saidhinges being located so as to'leave the uppemface of said plate clear; and keepers for retaining said last-named bar in operative position, said keepers being pivotally attached-to the under side of said plate.

-8. In mechanism for assembling weldedtogether structural units of the type described, the combination of'a bed plate; a support therefor; an angle-bar fixed to said plate adjacent one edge thereof with oneflange directed upwardlyand facing towards the opposite edge of said plate; a corresponding but reversely facing angle-bar adjacent the opposite edge of said plate; hinges pivotally securing saidlast-named bar to said plate, said hinges being located so as to leave the upper face of said plate clear; a

and transversely disposed clamps pivotally attached to saidplate adjacent said first-- responding, but reversely facing angle-bar.

adjacent the opposite edge of said plate;

hinges pivotally securing said last-named bar to said plate, said hinges being located so as to leave the upper face of said plate clear; transversely disposed clamps pivotal- 1y attached to said plate adjacent said first named bar and adapted to cooperate therewith and with said last-named bar to retain the component parts of such. unit in proper position therebetween, said clamps having off-set portions adapted directly to engage with such parts; and blocks on said plate complementary to such off-set clamp portions.

10. In mechanism for assembling weldedtogether structural units of the type described, the combination of a bed plate; a support therefor; an angle-bar fixed to said plate adjacent one edge thereof with one flange directed upwardly and facing towards the opposite edge of said plate; a corresponding, but reversely facing angle-bar adjacent the opposite edge of said plate; hinges pivotally securing said last-named bar. to said plate, said hinges being located so as to leave the upper face of said plate clear; transversely disposed clamps pivotally attached to said plate adjacent said firstnamed bar and adapted to cooperate therewith and with said last-named bar to retain the component parts of such unit in proper position therebetween, said clamps having ofl-setportions adapted directly to engage with such parts; and postsrising from said plate in alignment with said clamps, respectively, said clamps being slotted to receive said posts.

Signed by me this 24 day of April, 1925.

STANLEY MACOMBER. 

